I clasped my hands together to keep them from shaking as I took a step back and searched for an escape route. Taehyung seemed to find this amusing as the sound of his laughter resonated throughout the cave.

 

 

"You intend to ward me off with that? Fine, go ahead and try it. Just be prepared for the outcome."

 

Taehyung's lips were curled up in a smile, but his eyes were burning with rage. Even if I wanted to escape, I couldn't move very well due to the pain I felt, to say nothing of his ominous presence.

 

"I'm not going to kill you right away. First, I want you to experience pain and fear."

 

He moved closer to me, taking one step after another. In the dimly lit cave, Taehyung's golden eyes shined mysteriously, and I instinctively knew I couldn't look away.

 

"I'm going to take my time and make you suffer before I kill you!"

 

I flinched and my eyes widened in surprise as the sound of a gunshot suddenly rent the air.

 

"Wha...?!"

 

Taehyung reflexively ducked to avoid the bullet, but...

 

"Grr...!"

 

Subsequent bullets hit him in the abdomen.

 

"Why, you...!"

 

As he put pressure on his abdomen which was oozing blood, Taehyung glared toward the entrance of the cave. I followed his gaze and saw...

 

"Jongin...!"

 

Jongin stood there holding two guns aimed at Taehyung.

 

"Tsk... I let myself be distracted by the girl."

 

"...Taehyung, move away from Kyungsoo."

 

"You expect me to obey you?!"

 

"...I can shoot fasten than you can move."

 

The tension rose between them. The moment seemed to last forever.

 

"...I'll give you this one."

 

Taehyung spat out the words and disappeared deep into the cave. 

 

"...Kyungsoo, are you all right?"

 

Jongin made no move to follow Taehyung, rushing to my side instead.

 

"Jongin, you came for me..."

 

"...Of course."

 

I took one look at Jongin and felt so much relief that my feet gave way.

 

"...Unfortunately, I'm not doing so good..."

 

"...! You're badly hurt..!"

 

Jongin must have seen the wound on my back when he moved to support me before I fell, for he was shocked.

 

"You're all wet and cold...!"

 

"Sorry, I..."

 

Before I could tell him that I couldn't move, I felt myself losing consciousness.

 

"Kyungsoo...!"

 

I leaned into Jongin as I lost consciousness.

 

~~*~~

 

 

(Something feels so warm...)

 

I was freezing just a moment ago, but now I felt strangely warm.

 

(And something is swaying...?)

 

It felt like I was dreaming.

 

"Ow...!"

 

I in